But the Manchester United boss, whose side entertain Tottenham tonight, believes the Reds are due their share of luck and maybe then there will be some give in the battle for the championship.

None of the top three dropped points in the Christmas and New Year three-match programme.

However, Chelsea were assisted on Saturday in their 1-0 win when Liverpool had a penalty claim missed by referee Mike Riley at Anfield.

Arsenal were let off the hook at Newcastle in their 1-0 St James' Park triumph last Wednesday when official Steve Bennett turned down appeals for an Ashley Cole handball and the Gunners went on to score their winner minutes later.

Victories

United have kept pace with victories at home to Bolton on Boxing Day and away at Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

But Fergie refuses to be discouraged by the top two's refusal to budge.

"You could allow it to frustrate you but the important thing is as long as we are playing well we can be patient and wait," he said.

"Then you hope something does happen to Chelsea and then Arsenal.

"They are carrying a little bit of luck at the moment. Both teams had two penalty kick claims against them the other day and survived them. When you are having these runs at the top you get these kinds of breaks.

"Chelsea haven't had many injuries, either, while Arsenal and ourselves have. They stayed clear of them, which is amazing.

"Hopefully the breaks even themselves out and we will get them. Football is like that. I always think the breaks even themselves out.

"It has been proven you can lose a lead even a club like us who have had the experience. Chelsea will know that themselves. It is about how you handle it."